Mission Impossible

This week in Ghana, the vibes are off. The banter is on mute. And the reason? A helicopter crash that’s left us all heavy.

On August 6, a military helicopter carrying eight people [including our Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Muniru Mohammed, former parliamentary candidate Samuel Aboagye, NDC Vice Chairman Samuel Sarpong, Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.]  just vanished off the radar and crashed near Adansi-Akrofuom in the Ashanti Region. All on board perished in what’s being called one of the worst air disasters Ghana’s seen in years.

To the families of the fallen, to every Ghanaian who’s been trying to wrap their head around how a mission to fight illegal mining turned into a national tragedy. Our hearts are with you. The grief is personal, and we stand with you in silence, in prayer, in hope.

• National: Accra’s about to go full solemn mode today as two Muslim victims of last week’s helicopter crash get laid to rest.

• International: Lexis Bill just told Africa’s big bosses that chilling isn’t laziness, it’s literally a public health plan.

• Economic: Govt said, “Here’s 62% more,” and cocoa farmers said, “Cool… but we were thinking Beyoncé money, not intern salary.”

• Crime: EOCO just repossessed Shatta Wale’s Lamborghini after the FBI whispered, “Yeah, that ride’s got scam money in the tank.”

• Crime: Four Ghanaian men allegedly turned “romance” into a $100M hustle. Now three of them have been flown to the U.S. for what might be the longest “first date” of their lives… in court.

• Fact of the Day: A blob of toothpaste is called a nurdle.

• National: Ken Ashigbey goes off on politicians involved in galamsey.

• Crime: Madina had a fire, but apparently one guy decided it was also the perfect time for live-action Call of Duty. And yes, the police just stood there like they were watching a TikTok skit.

• Regional: It’s raining babies in Gomoa Ehyiam (and it’s not cute).

• Economic: Shoprite’s packing its bags, boarding the next flight outta Ghana.

QUICK BYTE

• Lexis Bill just stood in front of Africa’s big men and said, “Listen, y’all need to budget for vibes.” At the AUDA-NEPAD Technical Session in Durban, the man behind #WalkWithLexis made the case that recreation isn’t just fun; it’s healthcare, mental therapy, youth engagement, and low-key economic growth all rolled into one. He’s calling for governments to actually put money behind playtime — from health budgets to sports ministries — and even link it with tourism so leisure becomes a legit continental flex. Read more

• The two Muslim officials who tragically died in the August 6 military chopper crash are being buried, and it’s one of those moments where Ghana’s big men and everyday folks stand side-by-side in grief. The send-off is strictly on Islamic time, which means no “fashionably late” nonsense. At 2 p.m., Janazah prayers will begin at the State House forecourt. By 2:30, the convoy will move to the Military Cemetery. Blink and you might miss it. The bigger stage is being set for August 15 at Black Star Square, when all eight crash victims will get the inter-denominational state funeral. Read more

•  So, the government came through all hyped like, “Guys! We just raised cocoa prices from $3,100 to $5,040 per tonne!” — which, on paper, sounds like the kind of jump that’d make anyone do the shmoney dance. But the cocoa farmers? They’re looking at it like, “Um… thanks? I guess?” Get the full deets in the Deep Dive section.

• So apparently, some people heard “find love online” and thought it meant “find $100 million from lonely hearts and corporate inboxes.” According to the U.S. Justice Department, four Ghanaian nationals allegedly ran a romance scam + business email compromise combo so bold it makes 419 emails look like amateur hour. Three of them, Isaac “Kofi Boat” Boateng, Inusah “Pascal” Ahmed, and Derrick “Van” Yeboah just got an all-expenses-paid flight to the U.S. courtesy of the FBI and Ghanaian authorities. The fourth guy, Patrick “Borgar” Asare, is still off the grid. Read more

• So EOCO just rolled up to Shatta Wale’s crib, and it wasn’t to vibe to his new track. Nope, they came with FBI receipts and drove off in his Lamborghini Urus. Turns out the flashy whip was linked to convicted Ghanaian-American fraudster Nana Kwabena Amuah, a.k.a. Philip Osei Tutu, who was out here running romance scams and email cons like it was a 9-to-5. At first, Shatta reportedly wasn’t trying to let the Lambo go. But after EOCO explained it was basically “Fraud Money: The Vehicle Edition,” he gave up the keys. Now, the car’s headed to the US to help repay over $4 million Amuah owes his victims. Read more

• Shoprite just sent us the “we need to talk” text. No, they’re not ghosting one branch, they’re ghosting the whole of Ghana. After all the times we’ve pushed our squeaky trolleys through their aisles, pretending we can afford that imported cheese, they’re now like, “Thanks for the memories.” Apparently, Shoprite’s been catching Ls in Africa. The culprit? Currency wahala, inflation hotter than waakye pepper, rent so high it could give skyscrapers a complex. They’ve already got a buyer for our seven stores and one warehouse. Read more

• So Dr. Ken Ashigbey, CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines and certified “I’m tired of your nonsense” advocate, just went full straight-shooter on illegal-mining politicians. After the tragic chopper crash that killed eight big names including anti-galamsey champions, Ken said, “Look in the mirror, the blood’s on you.” Guilt served straight, no ice. The victims were literally on their way to launch a programme in Obuasi to fight illegal mining when tragedy struck. Read more

• So Sunday afternoon at Ritz Junction was already bad. Over 50 wooden structures and metal containers went up in flames, displacing a bunch of people. Fire crews from the Madina Fire Station came in hot (literally) to try to contain it. Everyone’s expecting chaos… but not this kind of chaos. Then comes “Area”. Nobody knows what set him off; maybe the smoke, maybe the crowd, maybe the fact that life’s been lifing, but this man allegedly whipped out a pump-action gun and started shooting into the air. The most jaw-dropping part? The police were reportedly there watching the whole thing unfold. According to Ernest Opare, one of the victims (now in the hospital), the officers didn’t even attempt to arrest or disarm the shooter. Read more

• Gomoa Ehyiam in the Central Region has seen over 30 teenage pregnancies in just one year. And the reasons? A messy mix of poverty, lack of opportunities, and some very questionable adult behavior, including allegations against teachers.

  Health workers in the village have noted festival seasons seem to come with pregnancy spikes. The Chief of Gomoa Tarkwa is calling for more schools, vocational training, and a serious government plan. Read more

DEEP DIVE

The mood is pure disappointment.

You know that feeling when your friend hypes you up for your birthday gift, and you’re picturing a PS5, but then you open the box and it’s… socks? Yeah, that’s how cocoa farmers are feeling right now. The government rolled out the new producer price for the 2025/26 season like it was the second coming, a 62.58% increase! But for the folks actually growing the beans, it’s giving “almost, but not quite.”

Emmanuel Nodjo, who’s got seven acres of cocoa farms, straight up said, “We were expecting better than this, so the price is not encouraging.” The increase might look big in the headlines, but when you factor in costs, inflation, and the fact that chocolate prices abroad are basically out here doing Bitcoin numbers, it’s not giving.

The Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, announced the change on social media after the Producer Price Review Committee meeting, probably expecting likes and fire emojis. Instead, farmers are out here side-eyeing their bank accounts and wondering if “producer price” is just government slang for “we tried, okay?” Because from where they’re standing, this price hike is less “we made it” and more “at least it’s not worse.” Read more

NEWS SOURCES

Today’s stories are curated from:

1. www.myjoyonline.com

2. www.ghanaweb.com

3. www.citinewsroom.com

4. www.norvanreports.com

5. Channel1news